gibson



' (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. P. GIBSON. VALVE MBGHANISM FOR El,BvAfloRs.

27. Patented Oct. 8, 1889.

All LA Ll .(No Model.) 8 l" 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. w. P. GIBSON;

VALVE MEGHANISM PoR simmons.

Patentedt. 8,y 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM P. GIBSON,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 412,327, `dated October 8, 1889. Application filed December 3l, 1888. Serial No. 294,995. (No model.)

To all whom may con/cern.:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. GIBSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valve Mechanism for Elevators, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to improvements in auxiliary valves for operating the main valve orvalves controlling the movements of the power-piston of an elevator mechanism. The invention is particularly applicable and will be hereinafter described as applied to a hydraulic elevator.

It may be remarked in passing that the improvements constituting the present invention, though illustrated in the drawings, and hereinafter described as applied to an elevator-mechanism having a power-cylinder of the vertical type, the improvements are equally applicable to elevator mechanisms containing a horizontal cylinder or i-n which the poweriston has an oscillating motion, as in my companion application iiled January 5, 1889, Serial No. 295,548.

In the'accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical sectional elevation of an elevator mechanism embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan view, upon an enlarged scale,

of the auxiliary-valve mechanism. Fig. 3 is a side view of the same, also upon an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the same, taken on the lines 4 of Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring to Fig. l, it will be understood that A represents the power-cylinder, and B the power-piston, of an ordinary hydraulic elevator; C, its circulating-pipe; D, its supply-pipe, and E its discharge-pipe, communieating with the discharge-outlet F, all of which parts are of the usual and well-known constructions, and therefore need no further description here. The supply and discharge of the motor-fluid to and from the cylinder and its circulation from the upper to the lower end thereof are controlled in the usual manner by means of the valve II, mounted upon the lower end of a vertical rod I, contained within a valve-casing G. The rod I is Vextended beyond the valve-casing G, and'carries at its upper end a piston J, working in a cylinder K, mounted upon the upper end of the valve-casing G. The upper and lower ends of the cylinder K communicate with the auxiliary-valve mechanism by means of pipes L M, respectively. The auxiliary-valve mechanisms for both of these pipes being exact duplicates as to construction and mode of 0peration, a description of the construction and operation of one will suffice for an understanding of the present invention.`

The pipe M, through which water is admitted to the under sideof the piston J communicates with a chamber a, which chamber contains a valve b, carried by a valve-rod c, which has mounted upon its upper end a piston d, (see Fig. 4,) contained within a chamber e. The chamber a communicates with a discharge-chamber f, having connected to it a disch arge-pipe N, communicating in turn with the discharge-outlet F. The under side of the piston d and the upper side of the valve b are kept constantly in communication with the source of water-supply by means of a supplychamber h, having connected to it a supplypipe O, communicating either directly or through the circulating-pipe of the elevator mechanism, as shown, with the supply-pipe D. (See Fig. l.) The piston d, being of greater area than the valve b, the pressure of the water thus supplied to the space between the valve t and piston d will operate to sustain the valve b in its raised position, as shown in Fig. 4. The pressure of the water upon the piston d may be` aided, if desired, by the pressure of the spring 'i counterbalancing the downward tendency of the valve and piston and the downward pressure of the water exerted u-pon the valve b. The supply-chamber 7L also communicates by means of a duct or passage j with a chamber la, containing a valve Z, controlling communication between said duct and a duct or passage m, leading to the upper side of the piston d. (See Fig. 4.) The rod o, carrying the valve Z, passes upward through the valve-casing, and upon the exterior thereof is connected to a plate n, forming the armature of an electro-magnet P. (See Fig. 2.) The electro-magnet P will be connected to the elevator-car by means of IOO wires, in 'the usualmanner, provided with push-buttons or other suitable circuit making an`d breaking appliances, by which said magnet may be energized to attract the armature nk and'thus move the valve-rod o and its valve Z downward and open communication between the ducts 7' m, the pressure of the water contained in the chamber lo being sufficiently great to hold the valve Z to its seat when the magnet P is de-energized.

As before observed, the foregoing description of the valve mechanism controlling the admission of water to the lower side of the piston J through the pipe M applies equally well to the duplicate valve mechanism controlling the supply to its upper side through the pipe L. The supply-pipe O communicates through the supply-chamber h with the two valve mechanisms, and the two mechanisms similarly 'communicate with the dischargepipe -N through the discharge-chamber f. Th'eelectro-magnet of the latter mechanism is, however, for -the sake of convenience in describing the operation of the mechanism, lettered R.

The 'operation of the apparatus will now.

be described. When the piston -B is at rest, the main vvalve H and lits connections and the auxiliary-valve Vmechanisms for `bothsides 'of' thepiston J will occupy the positions shown in the drawings, communication being open yb'eti'fveen both sides of the piston J and the discharge-'chamber`]c and closed between the sanieand thefsupply-chamber 71,. When it is Vdesired to cause 'the ascent of the piston B 'and the descent ofthe car,t he conductor will voperate the push-button within the elevator- 'car'and close lthe circuit through the'electromagnet R,'thereby energizing said magnet, the armature of which willthen Abe attracted and cause the vvalve Z-to movedownward and -opefn'communication between theductsj mi of itheva'lve vmechanism controlling communicatin to the upper 'side of the vpiston J. Communication vbeing thus established between these 4'two ducts, wat-er will pass from the supply-chai'rlber h through the same to the up'perfside'o'f the'piston CZ,-against whichi 'fa'nd *move the piston J andthe main-valve red I downward -until the main valve H'has been'inoved sufficiently to open communication between the circulating-pipe AC and the lower end'offthe'cylinder A 'fand permit/the 'circulation of the "water from the upperto '6 5 theilcwe'r side ofthepiston in the usual mannfer. 'Toarrest the Iupwardmovemento'f the Ypiston B, the'ccnductor will releasethe pushbutton and break the circuit of the magnet R, lthereby de-energizing said magnet and re.

leasing the armature n, the water beneath the valve Z then raising said valve and cutting off communication between the ducts j m.

The duct m of each Valve mechanism communicates by a small discharge-pipe g with the discharge-chambery, and which pipe is permanently open, so that as soon as the valve b is closed the pressure upon the upper side of the piston d will be relieved by the escape of the water above the same through the pipe g to the discharge-chamber f, said piston and with it the valve b being raised by the pressure of the water entering the chamber c, aided by the spring i, to open communication between the pipe -L and the discharge-chamber f and cut o'ff communication between said pipe Vand the supply-chamber h. The conductor will at the same V'time operate the push-button of the circuit ofthe electro-magnet P, thereby energizing said magnet and causing the operation of the auxiliary-valve mechanism of the pipe M, the same as just described. Water will then enter the lower'end of the cylinder K and 'move the piston J upward, Vsaid 'piston forcing the water above it to the discharge-chamberf. The upward movement of the piston will continue until 'the valve H has been restoredto its central position-t1 c., the -position in which it is shown in Fig. l-when the piston B will be arrested. If it is desired tocause the piston B to move downward, this upward movement of the pistonJ and kvalve H will be continued until the latter has been 'mo-ved sufficiently to open communication between the lower end of the cylinder A and the discharge-outlet F, when the water will fescape from Vthe under side of the piston B, and its downward movement'be accomplished by the pressure of water upon its-upper-side in the usual manner. yThe discharge pipes or passages g are provided 'with adjustable valvesy, by which the rate of the discharge of the 'water can be regulated 'tocorrefspond to lthe pressure of the water in vthe' supplychamber h and 'thus control `t-he speed of closing the valves b.

ICO

IIO

In addition lto the `aux,iliary-valve inechanism for operating themain valveH,`the'r od 'I of said valve may be provided with vthe usual -rack-an'd-pinion device for operating said valve from the'elevator-car vwhen Afrom any cause said auxiliary mechanism l-failsto operate temporarily. t y

It is to be remarked that instead of operating the Vauxiliary-valve mechanismhdescribed `by means ofthe electro-magnets -P-*R anyfother form of connections-such ras a hand-rope and leverse-ma'y be employed-for the purpose. vIt is also to be remarhedthat the auxiliary-valvefmechanism heretofore de scribed maybe -used inconnection withap- Vparatus other than elevators, and -mayjbe used for purposes other than those described;- as, for example, for operatinga belt-shifter@ and also that instead of being operated by hydraulic pressure the piston d and valve b may be operated by pneumatic or steam press-V ure.

I do not herein claim the combination, with the main valve or other mechanism for controlling the'movements of an elevator, of the cylinder K and piston J for operating said mechanism; an auxiliary valve for controlling said piston, which Valve is normally maintained in position to allow the water to flow out of the cylinder; a piston for operating said auxiliary valve, and a valve Zfor controlling said last piston; neither do I claim the combination, with the foregoing, of a permanently-open exhaust between said last piston and said valve Z; neither do I claim the combination, with the foregoing, of a rope connected to operate the main valve or other controlling mechanism from the elevator, as

' these subj ects-matter and features are the invention of another.

What I claim isl. The combination, with the cylinder K and piston J, of valves h, controlling the supply and discharge of the iiuid to and from the cylinder upon the opposite sides of the piston, the pistons CZ, connected to said valves b, and constantly subjected upon one side to the Huid-pressure to close the valves, ducts leading` from the supply side of said valves to the opposite side of said pistons, valves Z, controlling said ducts,` so that the pressure can be equalized upon the opposite sides of said pistons vto allow the valves b to open the supply and close the discharge to the respective sides of the piston J, and discharge-passages for allowing the fluid to escape to reduce the pressure upon one side of the pistons CZ, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the cylinder K and piston J of valves b, controlling the supply and discharge of the fiuid to and from the cylinder upon the opposite sides of the piston, the pistons d, connected to said valves b, and constantly subjected upon one side to the fluid-pressure to close the valves, ducts leading from the supply side of said valves to the opposite side of said pistons, and valves Z, controlling said ducts, so that the pressure can be equalized upon the opposite sides of said pistons to allow the valves b to open the supply and close the discharge to the respective sides of the piston J and permanently-open discharge-passages g for allowing the fluid to escape from the discharge side of said Valves Z, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the cylinder K and piston J, of valves b, controlling the supply and discharge of the iiuid to and from the cylinder upon the opposite sides of the piston, the pistons d, connected to said valves Z9, valves Z, controlling the supply of the fluid to one side of said pistons, permanently-open discharge-passages g for the discharge of the fluid so supplied, and adjustable Valves y for regulating the rate of discharge, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set myhand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WM. P. GIBSON.

Witnesses:

J. J. KENNEDY, EDWARD Woon. 

